Putting my horse for sale on a week's trial - advice please

kittykatcat

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Hi all, i have a lovely girl coming to view my horse for a second time this weekend, and she would like to take him on a week's trial if she still likes him. I have said this is fine, however i know that these sort of things can be fraught with problems and i want to draw up some kind of agreement. Does anyone have a template or any points to consider for such an agreement?

Thanks all
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I guess the main things would be insurance, who would pay for vet bills should anything happen to him in that week, whether she is allowed to transport him, are others allowed to ride him (her instructor), indivual turnout?

Sorry thats probably not much help, just a few things that sprung to mind.

Good luck, I hope it goes well.
 
Insist the horse is vetted before he leaves the yard. And also ask for payment in full (cash or bankers draft), again before the horse leaves the yard.

If the horse doens't work out, you can then refund the money.
 
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Who would pay for the vetting? Me? Probably a good idea about the money, but i just feel so anal about it all!
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Gosh no - the purchaser.

Basically what I'm say is - she vets and buys the horse. Then if after a week it doesn't work, you have it back.
 
I had the last 2 horses I bought on 2 weeks trial and 1 week trial respectively.

On both occassions, I paid in full and the reciept given by the sellers said something like ....

Horse description sold for £x to Mrs Me. The horse can be returned within the given time only if you are incompatible. Mrs Me is to pay any transport costs incurred.

On both occassions, I had to prove that I had insurance to cover them whilst they were with me.
 
Hmm, yes good idea. She lives about an hour away, so probably not very practical for her to travel every day...

So, if she bought him, would i still insure him for that week, or would that become invalid as i wouldnt own him anymore?!! The more i think about this the more i'm not sure i like it.....although i just want him to find the perfect home and she does sound lovely. Hmmm!
 
No - she must have proof of insurance in place. The horse will no longer be yours, so you won't be able to insure it.

The wording on Quirky's receipt sounds pretty good.
 
Ring your insurance company and ask if you have any questions. Not horsey but I once found that I couldn't stop an OH getting me private medical insurance (although obviously I could have made claiming difficult!) - you might not have to be the owner to insure...
 
I would never send my horse on trial - sorry!

Too risky - despite insurance, in the worst case scenario, you could still find yourself with a broken unsaleable horse.

I know the horse market is a difficult one at the moment, but what is she going to find out in a week that she shouldn't already know?

I would always be open to letting friends/experts/trainers coming to view a horse, happy to let potential purchaser take the horse round showjumps or XC, to see them out hunting - they can do anything they want while I own the horse..... but I would never let a horse go on trial.

If she insists, then she can have the horse vetted, pay you the full amount and take him home. You are not required to take him back thereafter (unless you really wanted to) unless he is significantly not as described. Incompatability is not a good enough reason
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I had my horse on a 2 week trial. I didn't pay a penny for him at the time. I insured him straight away and had him vetted on the trial. After a week i knew he was for me paid the money and they handed over the passport. Its a matter of trust if you think the person is trustworthy then a trial is worth it.
 
You are taking a big risk letting your horse go on trial.

I know someone who let a horse go on trial, the buyers took it hunting when it was no where near fit enough and it pulled a check ligament. The buyers then gave it back.

I would never ever give a horse on trial; let the buyers view the horse as many times as they want to but never let it out of your supervision.
 
I had my horse on a 2 week trial at a mutually agreed yard.

I had him vetted first, paid in full and showed proof of my insurance. Our agreement stated that I could return him only if he was in the same condition that he was in when I collected him.

All was fine and we have never looked back. I wouldn't have bought him without a trial period though as I had a very bad experience with a previous purchase who gave new meaning to the phrase "dope on a rope"!
 
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